The pressure continued to mount on Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan as two goals from former Boro' trainee Danny Graham helped Watford to a comfortable win at Vicarage Road.

Promotion favourites Boro went into the game without a single goal on their travels in the league this season and they went behind after only 17 seconds when David Wheater's poor passback gave Graham a simple chance which he took with aplomb.

Ten minutes later it got worse for the visitors when they failed to clear from a corner and Jordon Mutch sent in a half-volley which gave Scott Loach no chance.

Graham spent four years at the Riverside Stadium before being released and he showed Boro what they were missing when he got on the end of Don Cowie's cut-back for his second and Watford's third after just 20 minutes.

Middlesbrough tried to find a way back into the match and Loach denied Gary O'Neil before an own goal from Adrian Mariappa gave them faint hope with 10 minutes remaining.

However, Watford held on for the three points - much to the frustration of the travelling Middlesbrough faithful.

Poor start: Strachan's side were on the back foot from the first minute

Buoyed by their stunning 6-1 win at Millwall last week, Watford came flying out the traps and were in front within a minute.

Wheater's attempted backpass was woefully short and Graham nipped in
before rounding Jason Steele and rolling the ball into the net.

To their credit Middlesbrough responded well to the early setback
and Leroy Lita had a good chance to draw them level but his shot was
tipped round the post by Loach. Watford duly capitalised and two
minutes later Cowie's corner was cleared into the path of Mutch who
slammed home a superb half-volley from 25 yards.

Middlesbrough were looking shaky at the back and the visitors'
defence switched off from a short corner allowing Mariappa to get in a
header that went just over the bar.

With 20 minutes gone Watford made it 3-0 when Cowie got past his
marker on the left and drove to the by-line before squaring the ball
for Graham who made no mistake from close range.

Jeers rang out among the Boro fans who had made the long journey
south and their team showed little sign of coming back into the match
before the break.

Strachan's side showed more purpose at the start of the second half
and almost got a goal back when O'Neil was left unmarked at the far
post from Barry Robson's cross but Loach made a superb smothering save.

However, Watford still looked dangerous whenever they had the ball
and Marvin Sordell got in one-on-one with Steele but was denied by a
superb last-gasp challenge from Tony McMahon.

With 10 minutes remaining Scott McDonald's shot was saved by Loach
and Mariappa headed the loose ball into his own net but it only proved
to be a consolation.